MEANINGFULNESS OF THE UNIVERSEBelief in God-ordained Universe AMONG many aspects of the debate over the existence of God, one relates to the meaningfulness of the universe. Belief in God is not only the explanation

the universe, but belief in God also makes the universe completely meaningful. Disbelief in God means that this universe will have a meaningless end, while believing in God means that the universe will

injustice. This natural urge can find fulfillment if we believe that the universe has been created by God. There is no answer to the fulfillment of this natural requirement in the theory that denies the Creator

connected with God, who is the source of all goodness. God thus becomes a source of inspiration for everyone. Religion makes man God-oriented. It produces God-oriented thinking. His life is a God-oriented life

develops communion with God and such a person becomes strong and powerful. Here is an incident which shows in symbolic language how a religious person — a person who has complete faith in God — becomes an unconquerable

crisis. He never loses courage. He always lives in hope. In every situation he is in a position to say: God Almighty is the captain of my ship. He is not going to let it sink.

Lord, because God had bestowed the kingdom upon him? Abraham said: ‘My Lord is the one who gives life and brings death.’ He answered, ‘I [too] give life and bring death!’ Abraham said, ‘God brings up the

the sun from the east, so bring it up yourself from the west.’ Then the disbeliever was confounded. God does not guide the wrongdoers. (2: 258) We find another example of the argument based on natural reasoning

greatest of all!’ Then when it set, he said: ‘My people, I disown all that you worship besides with God.’ (6: 75-78) Argument of this kind may appear to be simple, but they are invested with deeper meaning

subject of punishment. Instead, sound arguments should be presented to address the mind of people. God sent more than one lakh prophets to different regions. Their contemporaries almost always responded

abusive language in retaliation: “But do not revile those they invoke instead of God, lest they, in their hostility, revile God out of ignorance.” (6: 108) There are many such verses in the Quran guiding us

fundamentals of Hijab: Tell believing men to lower their gaze and remain chaste. That is purer for them. God is aware of what they do. (24: 30) Say to believing women to lower their gaze and remain chaste and

asked to ‘turn to God, every one of you, so that you may prosper. Do not flaunt your charms as in the former times of ignorance. (33: 33) Indeed for men and women who have surrendered to God—(...) men and

and women who guard their chastity, men and women who are ever mindful of God—God is ready with forgiveness and an immense reward. (33: 35) There are broad principles for a modest dress code for both men

interpretation of Islam man is always dissatisfied with his religiosity. This is because piety and fear of God are personal matters of the heart. They cannot be quantified and measured. But in the form-based interpretation

Spirit-based or qualitative thinking creates a fear of God whereas form-based or quantitative thinking creates a false sense of conviction and makes man fearless of God. The Companions of the Prophet always remained

be measured or described in mathematical terms. Present day Muslims, on the other hand, do not fear God due to their form-based mind set and assume that as long as they are complying with the required number

backed up by just two things: faith in God and hard work. Whatever my mother did, she did in the true spirit of Islam. Instead of turning to man, she turned to God. Instead of thinking in terms of the

her share of the land, nor did she seek any help from the members of her family. She depended upon God alone; her sturdy independence was a shining example to us all. She would get up early every morning

that which we still enjoyed, namely, our God-given existence. Whatever she did, she did in the true spirit of Islam. Instead of turning to man, she turned to God. Instead of thinking in terms of the world

(Mishkat) The Prophet Abraham has been mentioned in a verse in the Quran: “Strive for the cause of God as it behooves you to strive for it. He has chosen you and lain on you no burden in the matter of your

(22: 78) This verse implores believers to strive and do jihad and follow the footsteps of Abraham. God has chosen the believers for this task. But what kind of jihad did Abraham undertake? There is no proof

struggle undertaken by the Prophet Abraham on the path of dawah work, or conveying the message of God to people. Abraham initially did dawah among the people of Ur, a city in ancient Iraq where he was

of the Quran is to make man aware of the creation plan of God. It makes a man serious about life, gives him high thinking that develops a God-oriented personality or divine personality in man. Jihad with

itself was nullified. That is if it is eliminated then the command for war is also eliminated. God desired that the system of religious persecution be eliminated and the natural system of religious

This philosophy and culture functioned against the creation plan of God as it was a withdrawal of the God-given freedom to man. God desired that this contrived system of religious persecution be eliminated

THE WORD OF GODFrom The Scriptures The Quran is the book of God. It has been preserved in its entirety since its revelation to the Prophet of Islam between AD 610 and 632. It is a book that brings glad

intellectual level. Translated from Arabic and commentary by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful The Merciful who taught the Quran—He created man and He taught

should not transgress the measure. Always measure with justice and do not give short measure. (55: 1-9) God created human beings. He granted them the unique power of speech—a power not bestowed upon any other